West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-02-11

looks pdramOuuO. hutsOipu, eho 10 v
uralist, also records an instance
where a female mcadow-bird left heI
mate for the simple reason that ne
lost some of his feathers, taking uE
with another bird. Fine feathers
make attractive if not fine birds, and
the rule certainly applies to human
ity.
FIGHTING FOR THEIR LADY LOVES.
The courtship Of the humming
bird is particularly arduous ope
ration, the lover having to fight his
way to nuptual life. Several species
of these little living gems are COM
mon in any dooryard and are en-
gagged in continual warfare with
each other; often the engagement is
carried on with such vigor that the
birds are injured. A friend near by
tells me that in observing these con-
tests she is positive that at times
the male when finding that he is be-
ing worsted, feigns death, and drops
to the ground, in fact plays possum,
to escape, and carries it to such an
extent that she has gone out and
picked the bird up and brought it
into the house where it soon recov-
cred. The old story of putting salt
on birds tail may be intended as
joke, but / have accomplished all
but putting on the salt, having out
witted humming bird, and catch
ing it in my hands. / saw the little
fellow in a garden up in the noun
tains, and noticing that he was unu.
sually tame / approached, and when
within ten feet he flew away to an
other tree near by. i followed him
up out of curiosity for half an hour,
during which he made at least TWEEN
ty changes, always returning to the
same twig, and l soon found that l
was gaining step or two at every
change. Finally stood not two
feet from the little creature that,
with its head on one side, eyed me
with curiosity rather than fear. A
few more flights and could have
knocked it over with my hat, but /
moved my head slowly to and fro to
keep its attention there. and then
gradually back, to give the impress
sion that / was not coming nearer,
and at the same time / thrust my
hand forward and under it. The
ruse was a complete success. The
little bead-like eyes were upon my
head, and now il l had had the his
torical pinch Of salt l could have
used it; instead, l caught the little
fellow by the tail between my thumb
and forefnger, holding him prisoner,
and after taking him up to the
house, as / could hardly expect any
one to believe such a story, l releas-
ed him. Perhaps my captive was
not in good condition that day-was
under the weather. l will give him
the benefit of the doubt; but birds
sometimes can be deceived. l re
member, as boy, climbing to the
top of pole and catching an aston
ished swallow in my hand that per
haps had been asleep.
There is one in South America,
known as Florisuga mellivor, that per
forms some curious antics during the
courtship season. 1t resembles some
gorgeous insect as it darts through
the air, its head and neck being a
beautiful metallic blue with bor-
der of white, other portions being a
rich metallic green. The tail, which
is pure white, can be'expanded so as
to form semi-circle, and when in
the air with the tail feathers out
stretched it looks as though it were
resting on twig. For several mo-
ments the little creature will remain
literally suspended in the air with
this curious cross-piece vibrating
singular mode Of courtship.
CoURTSHIP A LA GROUSE.
The courtship of the grouse is IA
miliar to all who have freqnented
the haunts Of this bird. In the pin
mated grouse it commences in March,
and at this time the male seems to
be endowed with u peculiar note
that is so clear and resonant that it
can be heard for two miles or more.
They seem to have certain spots
where they meet and carry on their
courtship. A single male will often
reach place and by its note call
the rest. In a short time dozen
or more birds may be seen indulg-
ing in veritable cake. walk and 60
ing through the most remarkable
motions and antics. Their feathers
stand out like quilts upon the fret
full porcupine, the entertainment
often ending in sanguinary battle.
This method of selecting a certain
locality as trysting place finds its
perfection among certain birds Of
Australia. popularity known as the
bower birds. The edifices that some
of them erect show a wonderful
amount Of what in human builder
would be termed intelligence. One
of the first was discovered by Mr..
Coxen, Of Brisbane, New South
Wales. It was made by the bird
known to science as the Ptilonorhyn-
chus holosericeus. The .hall" was
ovh;h;tad hv Mr. Coyan in tho Mn